Drip-cup for umbrellas.



J. T. BLUFF. DRIP 0UP FOR UMBRELLAS.

APPLIGATION FILED APR, 28. 1910.

976,032. Patented Nov. 15,1910.

Mu fl BY ATTORNEYS n1: NORRIS Pswsxs cm, wnsnmcmov, n. c

JOHN T. BLUFF, OF BUTTE, MONTANA, ASSIGNOB OF ONE-HALF TO FRANK F. HAYES, OF BUTTE, MONTANA.

DRIP-CUP FOB UMBRELLAS.

Patented Nov. 15, 1910.

Application filed April 28, 1910. Serial No. 558,154.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OHN Tnomxs BLUFF, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Butte, in the county of Silverbow and State of Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Drip-Cups for Umbrellas, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an improvement in drip cups for umbrellas and has for an object to provide a simple novel form of cup which can be collapsed when not in use and offers no material obstruction upon the staif of an umbrella and which can be quickly adjusted into position to receive the drip from a wet umbrella and can be easily emptied and readjusted either to receive drippings from the umbrella or be collapsed as may be desired in the use of the invention; and the invention consists in certain novel constructions and combinations of parts as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a side view of an umbrella closed, with my drip cup applied and collapsed close to the cover of the. umbrella. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the cup in place on the extended end of an umbrella stafi, dotted lines being used to show the adjustment of the bottom of the cup to position in which the contents of the cup may be discharged. Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the cup. Fig. 4 is a bottom View of the cup, a part of the reinforcing flange of the side portion being removed.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a cup A whose side B may be of rubber or other suitable flexible water-proof material so it can be conveniently collapsed, to which end the said side B may be accordion plaited as best shown in Fig. 2 so it can be expanded to the position shown in Fig. 2, or collapsed as shown in Fig. 1.

At its upper end, the portion B is connected with the top plate C and at its lower end is connected with the bottom plate D. The plates 0 and D have respectively central openings 0 and D adapted to receive the extended portion E of the umbrella staff E and these central 0 enings C and D receive the umbrella stafi? snugly as shown in Fig. 2 with the walls of the openings hugging closely the said staff in order to form a water tight joint between the bottom plate D and the umbrella staff and a sufiiciently tight embrace of the top plate C to hold the said plate in position close to the covler of the umbrella as shown in Figs. 1 anc 2.

The top plate G is preferably dished or funnel-shaped as shown in Fig. 2 and has an opening or openings C for the passage of the water which drips from the umbrella, into the cup.

In the use of theumbrella the body may be collapsed as shown in Fig. 1, in which position it will fit comparatively close to the cover of the umbrella and when the wet umbrella is closed, the cup may be expanded to the position shown in full lines in Fig. :2 when the drippings from the umbrella will pass from the openings G into the cup and accumulate therein. Then, when it 'is desired to discharge the content-s of the cup, it will only be necessary to press the bottom plate D down off the umbrella staff to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2 whep) the cup will empty through the openmg The top plate G and the bottom plate D may preferably be made of soft rubber and this, as well as the side or body portion B, may, in practice, be colored to correspond with the color of the umbrella upon which the cup is designed to be used.

When not in use the cup may be easily removed from the umbrella and carried in the pocket and quickly brought into position for use whenever desired.

I claim:

1. A drip cup for umbrellas having top and bottom plates and an accordion plaited receptacle connecting the same, substantially as set forth.

2. A drip cup for umbrellas having end portions for connection with the extended end of an umbrella staff and provided with an accordion plaited portion between said end portions and forming a receptacle, substantially as set forth.

JOHN T. BLUFF.

lVitnesses SoLoN C. KEMON, PERRY B. TURPIN. 

